The Diamondback: Threatened Species?

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is a large and iconic predator of thesoutheastern United States. Historically ranging throughout much of the CoastalPlain, from eastern Louisiana to southeastern North Carolina, and south throughFlorida and the Keys, the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is experiencing rapidpopulation declines.

Primarily an inhabitantof the longleaf pine ecosystem, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes have sufferedgreatly from the loss, fragmentation, and degradation of this habitat, as lessthan 5% of the longleaf pine ecosystem remains today. Several other speciesthat rely on this habitat have already been listed as threatened or endangeredunder the endangered species act (ESA), including the Flatwoods Salamander (Ambystomabishop/cinculatum), Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), IndigoSnake (Drymarchon couperi), and Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoidesborealis). The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake may be next.

Dueto the decline in Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes, a petition was filed to theUnited States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for them to be listed as athreatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The petitionprompted the USFWS to conduct a 90-day review, the first step in determining ifthe listing of a species as threatened or endangered is warranted (the full90-day review can be accessed at href=”http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-05-10/pdf/2012-11230.pdf”>http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-05-10/pdf/2012-11230.pdf).The USFWS examined the available information to determine if there issubstantial evidence in one or more of five different categories of threats towarrant listing.

Enlarge PhotoEastern Diamondback Rattlesnakebasking in the dunes

The five categories examined are (A) The present or threateneddestruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (B)Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes;(C) Disease or predation; (D) The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms;or (E) Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence. TheUSFWS 90-day review found that there was substantial information in four of thefive categories (A, B, D, and E) they reviewed. This substantial finding doesnot, however, mean that the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is now a threatenedspecies. The USFWS must now conduct a 12-month status review to determine ifthe Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake will indeed become a threatened species.

As a potentiallydangerous species, the idea of listing a rattlesnake under the ESA would nodoubt be controversial. Only one other rattlesnake has been listed previously,the New Mexico Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi obscurus),which only occurs in a remote region in southeast Arizona and southwest NewMexico where it is unlikely to cross paths with humans. The eastern diamondbackrattlesnake is much more likely to have run-ins with humans and if protected bythe ESA, it would become illegal to harass or kill them, even if they are foundaround your home.

Ifthe Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake were to be listed as a threatened species,they would not only be protected from direct persecution from humans, but habitatscritical to their survival would also be designated. One potentially criticalhabitat is coastal dune systems on barrier islands. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes are known to reside on many of the barrier islands throughouttheir range, and often have healthy populations. But these islands are alsopopular development areas for tourism and second homes.

AtThe Orianne Society we are currently studying how development of these barrierislands impacts Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake populations by conductingsurveys across a number of islands that encompass a range of developmentintensity. The results of this research will enable us tobetter management decisions for this potentially threatened species.

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